Ergonomic microscope and microscope carrier

ABSTRACT

An ergonomic microscope ( 1 ) and a microscope carrier ( 2 ) are disclosed. The microscope encompasses a stand ( 3 ) which possesses a stand base ( 3   a ) that defines an external contour ( 3   b ). The microscope ( 1 ) is placed onto the microscope carrier ( 2 ). The microscope carrier ( 2 ) comprises a body ( 4 ) and a left and a right hand rest ( 6 ). The left and the right hand rest ( 6 ) are attached to the body ( 4 ) so as to pivot freely and independently of one another. A height adjustment of the microscope carrier ( 2 ) results in a pivoting of the hand rests ( 6 ) in such a way that their front edges ( 6   a ) rest on the bench surface ( 50 ) regardless of the height adjustment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of the German patent application103 05 195.3-42. which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention concerns an ergonomic microscope and the inventionfurther concerns a microscope carrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] German Patent 101 48 781 discloses a microscope carrier withwhich the microscope can be brought into an ergonomic position for theuser. A baseplate with adjustable tilt simultaneously also serves as anarmrest. In the center of the baseplate, a support plate that adjuststhe microscope in terms of height and tilt is provided for themicroscope and also connected to it. Because the baseplate and carrierplate are connected, a plurality of adjustment steps are needed in orderto establish the ergonomically most favorable position. In addition, thebaseplate occupies a large installation space, which is detrimental toclosely-packed utilization of laboratory benches.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,354 describes an ergonomically adjustablecarrier plate for a microscope. The microscope is mounted immovably onsaid carrier plate. At least one threaded foot is necessary in order toadjust the tilt of the carrier plate. Handrests for the user are notprovided, so that when a microscope has been adjusted in terms ofheight, a user must adopt an extremely unfavorable hand position.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,705 describes a microscope stand that isadjustable in terms of height. Armrests can be added to the stand inorder to achieve an ergonomic working position. The armrests possessonly one fixed height, so that an optimally ergonomic working positionis in fact achieved only for one set height of the microscope.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,923 describes a microscope that can betilted, together with the illumination device, in order to achieve anergonomically favorable working position for the user. No handrestsexist. Tilting of the microscope, and thus also of the microscope stage,is not suitable for many microscopic experiments.

[0007] The apparatuses described in the aforesaid patents do not meetthe criterion of allowing an ergonomic position of a microscope to beeasily established. Furthermore, the means for attaining the ergonomicposition should occupy minimal space on an installation surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the invention is to create an ergonomic microscopethat can be brought, depending on the user's desires, into a positionthat is ergonomic for him or her. The intention is to make possible forthe user an ergonomic hand position or hand posture for operating themicroscope.

[0009] The aforesaid object is achieved by an ergonomic microscope whichcomprises: a microscope carrier and a stand positioned on saidmicroscope carrier; a left and a right hand rest are pivotally mountedto the microscope carrier and the left and the right hand rest are pivotfreely and independently of one another.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to create a microscopecarrier that is suitable for modifying the position of a microscope andthat makes possible, for a user, an ergonomic hand position or handposture for operating the microscope.

[0011] The above object is achieved by a microscope carrier whichcomprises a body, a left and a right hand rest attached to the body soas to pivot freely and independently of one another.

[0012] The invention has the advantage that, regardless of theadjustment of the microscope carrier, the handrests mounted pivotably onit always rest with one side on the bench surface. The left and righthandrests are attached to the body so as to pivot freely andindependently of one another. The body furthermore possesses an externalcontour that corresponds substantially to the external contour of thestand base of the microscope. This is particularly advantageous in termsof ergonomics, since no steps or edges occur at the transition betweenmicroscope carrier and microscope. The result is optimum accessibilityof the microscope's operating elements. It is further advantageous thatthe handrests each have a front edge, and that the handrests taper froma certain segment toward the front edge. A smooth transition for theuser's hands from the bench surface to the handrests is thereby created.The user does not need to bring his or her hands into an unaccustomedand ergonomically unfavorable position in order to actuate the operatingelements on the microscope.

[0013] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are evidentfrom the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The subject matter of the invention is depicted schematically inthe drawings and will be described below with reference to the Figures,in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a microscope on the ergonomicmicroscope carrier according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the microscope that is placed with therespective stand base onto the microscope carrier;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective plan view of an embodiment of themicroscope carrier according to the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective bottom view of an embodiment of themicroscope carrier according to the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a side view of the microscope carrier according to thepresent invention; and

[0020]FIG. 6 is a side view of the microscope carrier according to thepresent invention in which the height adjustment has been performed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021]FIG. 1 shows a microscope 1 that is placed on a microscope carrier2. Elements of the microscope such as, for example, the X/Y stage,objective turret, eyepieces, etc. are omitted in order to eliminatenegative influence on the clarity of the drawing. FIG. 1 discloses onlyone type of microscope, but it is self-evident that all other types ofmicroscopes are applicable in the context of this invention. Microscope1 encompasses a stand 3 that serves as carrier for the various elementsof microscope 1. Stand 3 possesses an attachment element 40 for the X/Ystage. In the upper region of the stand, an attachment opening 41 isprovided for a tube or another port, for example a camera port. Directlybelow attachment opening 41, an installation element 42 for theobjective turret is provided. Stand 3 stands on a stand base 3 a that,has a different external contour 3 b depending on the type of microscope(see FIG. 2). A coaxial adjustment knob 44 is provided respectively onthe left and right of stand 3 for coarse and fine adjustment in the Zdirection of attachment element 40 for the X/Y stage. Also provided onattachment element 40 for the X/Y stage is a mount 45 for a condenser oranother optical means. A field diaphragm 43 is provided in the lowerpart of stand 3 that is located opposite stand base 3 a. Stand 3 hasrespective support elements 3 c protruding on the left and on the right,which also contribute to external contour 3 b of stand base 3 a. Afurther function of support elements 3 c is to ensure sufficientstability for the entire microscope 1. As already mentioned above,microscope 1 can be placed onto a microscope carrier 2. Microscopecarrier 2 comprises a body 4 on which movable handrests 6 can beattached. Microscope 1 together with microscope carrier 2 usually standson a bench surface 50. Handrests 6 each have a front edge 6 a. Handrests6 are movable on microscope carrier 2 in such a way that regardless ofadjustment, their front edges 6 a rest on bench surface 50.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a bottom view of microscope 1 that is placed with itsrespective stand base 3 a on microscope carrier 2. The stand possesses,on stand base 3 a, several feet 30 that can also be embodied forvibration damping. As already mentioned in the description of FIG. 1,stand base 3 a has an external contour 3 b to whose shape the supportelements 3 c protruding from stand base 3 a also contribute.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective depiction of an embodiment of microscopecarrier 2 according to the present invention. Microscope carrier 2comprises a body 4 on which handrests 6 can be movably attached. As isevident from FIG. 4, body 4 comprises a housing 5, open toward thebottom, which possesses an external contour 5 a that corresponds toexternal contour 3 b of stand base 3 a of microscope 1. Housing 5 alsohas a surface 5 b in which depressions 31 are present. Depressions 31can also be embodied as cutouts or holes. The number of depressions 31is based on feet 30 provided on the stand base of microscope 1. It isself-evident that a different arrangement of depressions 31 must beprovided depending on the type of microscope. Feet 30 of microscope 1are received into depressions 31 of housing 5, so that an orientation ofmicroscope 1 on microscope carrier 2 is likewise attainable. In theembodiment depicted here, a cutout 7 is embodied on body 4. Through thiscutout, provision can be made for ventilation or for conveying furtherconnection elements to the microscope. Connection elements are, forexample, cables, fibers, or optical inputs and outputs. Microscope 1 canbe bolted onto body 4, e.g. by way of the at least one opening 8. Forthat purpose, the bolts (not depicted) engage through openings 8 intocorresponding threaded bushings embodied on the microscope base.

[0024]FIG. 4 depicts microscope carrier 2 in a perspective view from itsunderside. Provided in body 4, which is embodied as a housing 5 opentoward bench surface 50, are a first and a second rear pivotable support9 a and 9 b. In this embodiment, body 4 possesses substantially aT-shape that depends substantially on external contour 3 b of stand base3 a. First and second rear pivotable supports 9 a and 9 b are mounted inthe crossbar of the T-shape of body 4. A third pivotable support 12 ismounted in body 4 opposite first and second pivotable supports 9 a and 9b. First, second, and third supports 9 a, 9 b and 12 are locatedopposite the region of the installation surface for microscope 1 whichis equipped with feet 30.

[0025] First and second rear pivotable supports 9 a and 9 b areconnected, each via a connecting bar 10 a and 10 b, to a bracket 14mounted on a shaft 13. The connecting points between the bracket andfirst and second rear pivotable supports 9 a and 9 b are each embodiedas a rotatable bearing pin 15.

[0026] Shaft 13 is arranged in rotatably and axially displaceablefashion in body 4. The axial displacement range is delimited by a stopdisk 17 and an operating knob 16. Shaft 13 is impinged upon by a spring(not depicted) in such a way that operating knob 16 is constantlypressed against a front side 4 a of body 4. Operating knob 16 possesses,in its side facing toward front side 4 a of body 4, a detent lug 18 thatsnaps into corresponding detent flutes 18 a arranged circularly aboutshaft 13 in front side 4 a of body 4.

[0027] Third support 12, which is provided in the region of front side 4a of body 4 and fits around shaft 13 that is mounted rotatably anddisplaceably in body 4. Adjustment of third support 12 is accomplishedvia a lever 19 (see FIG. 3) that can also, similarly to operating knob16, be snap-locked via detents.

[0028] The T-shaped crossbar of body 4 possesses a left and a rightlateral cheekpiece 20 a and 20 b, on each of which a hinge system 21 isprovided. Hinge system 21 serves to attach handrests 6. Each handrest 6possesses a front edge 6 a. Regardless of the height adjustment ofmicroscope 1 by way of microscope carrier 2, handrests 6 attached viahinge system 21 rest with their front edges 6 a on bench surface 50.

[0029]FIG. 5 is a side view of microscope carrier 2 according to thepresent invention. Operating knob 16 for first and second pivotablesupports 9 a and 9 b (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 6) is provided on body 4.Lever 19 (see FIG. 3) is provided on body 4 for the adjustment of thirdsupport 12. Locking of lever 19 is likewise possible via detents 19 a.It is also advantageous to arrange operating knob 16 and lever 19 onbody 4 in such a way that operating knob 16 is mounted at the rear, andlever 19 at the front, of body 4. Handrests 6 can be attached to body 4or to housing 5 of the body. Each handrest 6 possesses a front edge 6 a.Handrests 6 taper from a certain segment 6 b toward front edge 6 a. Thetaper toward front edge 6 a makes possible an ergonomic positioning ofthe user's hands, since the transition from bench surface 50 to thehandrests is configured as smoothly as possible. The user need notexperience any unaccustomed twisting of his or her hands in order toreach adjustment knobs 44 of microscope 1. The surface of handrests 6can be equipped, for example, with a soft material. In addition,handrests 6 can be configured heatably in order to adapt them to humanbody temperature. It would also be possible to attach to the surface ofhandrests 6 tear-off sheets that are torn off for each new user of themicroscope, in order to create hygienically clean working conditions.

[0030] In FIG. 6, the side view of FIG. 5 is modified in that heightadjustment of microscope carrier 2 according to the present inventionhas been performed. Upon height adjustment of microscope carrier 2,first and second rear supports 9 a and 9 b pivot out of body 4 or out ofhousing 5 toward bench surface 50. Third pivotable support 12 alsopivots out by actuation of lever 19. When first, second, and thirdsupports 9 a, 9 b, and 12 are pivoted out in the same fashion, a heightadjustment of microscope carrier 2 is achieved. Since first and secondsupports 9 a and 9 b can be actuated independently of the third support,a tilt of microscope carrier 2, and thus also of the microscope, withrespect to the Z axis can be established. The tilt can be establishedtoward the rear or toward the front. An adjustment by way of a spindlewith nut, a scissor jack, a cam, separate shim elements, anadjustable-height clamp, or by bending or pivoting the supports on bothsides, is also possible for implementing the height adjustment ofmicroscope carrier 2.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ergonomic microscope comprises a stand which has a stand base that defines an external contour; a microscope carrier that comprises a body and a left and a right hand rest, wherein the left and the right hand rest are attached to the body so as to pivot freely and independently of one another.
 2. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 1, wherein the body possesses an external contour that corresponds substantially to the external contour of the stand base of the microscope.
 3. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a housing open toward the bottom.
 4. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 3, wherein the housing has a surface in which is embodied at least one depression that serves to receive at least one corresponding foot on the stand base of the microscope.
 5. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 4, wherein the depressions are configured as cutouts or holes, and serve to orient the microscope on the microscope carrier.
 6. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 1, wherein a cutout for ventilation or supply is provided on the body.
 7. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one opening for attaching the microscope is provided in the body of the microscope carrier.
 8. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 1, wherein the microscope carrier is equipped with several pivotable supports that make available at least a three-point support of the microscope carrier on a bench surface.
 9. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 8, wherein a first and a second pivotable support are actuable independently of a third pivotable support.
 10. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 8, wherein the supports are provided in the housing, open toward the bottom, of the body, and an operating knob and a lever are provided on the body, the first and the second support being pivotable by way of the operating knob , and the third support by way of the lever.
 11. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 10, wherein a shaft is connected to the operating knob; a bracket is provided on the shaft and in turn is connected to connecting bars, one associated with the first support and one with the second support; and the connecting points between the bracket and the first and second supports are each embodied as rotatable bearing pins.
 12. An ergonomic microscope comprises: a microscope carrier and a stand positioned on said microscope carrier; a left and a right hand rest are pivotally mounted to the microscope carrier and the left and the right hand rest are pivot freely and independently of one another.
 13. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 12 wherein the stand defines a stand base that has an external contour, the microscope carrier has a body that possesses an external contour, and the external contour of the stand base corresponds substantially to the external contour of the body
 14. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 13, wherein the body comprises a housing open toward the bottom, and the housing defines a surface in which is embodied at least one depression that serves to receive at least one corresponding foot on the stand base of the microscope.
 15. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 14, wherein the depressions are configured as cutouts or holes, and serve to orient the microscope on the microscope carrier.
 16. The ergonomic microscope as defined in claim 12, wherein the microscope carrier is equipped with several pivotable supports that make available at least a three-point support of the microscope carrier on a bench surface.
 17. A microscope carrier comprises a body, a left and a right hand rest attached to the body so as to pivot freely and independently of one another.
 18. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 17, wherein the left and the right hand rest are attached by means of a hinge system to a left and a right lateral cheekpiece of the body.
 19. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 17, wherein the left and the right hand rest can be hooked onto a left and a right lateral cheekpiece of the body (4).
 20. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 17, wherein the hand rests each have a front edge; and the hand rests taper from a certain segment toward the front edge.
 21. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 17, wherein the microscope carrier is equipped with several pivotable supports that make available at least a three-point support of the microscope carrier on a bench surface.
 22. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 21, wherein a first and a second pivotable support are actuable independently of a third pivotable support.
 23. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 21, wherein the supports are provided in a housing, open toward the bottom, of the body; and an operating knob and a lever are provided on the body, the first and the second support being pivotable by way of the operating knob, and the third support by way of the lever.
 24. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 23, wherein a shaft is connected to the operating knob; a bracket is provided on the shaft and in turn is connected to connecting bars, one associated with the first support and one with the second support; and rotatable bearing pins connect the bracket and the first and second supports.
 25. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 24, wherein the body possesses a front side on which the operating knob is provided; and the operating knob possesses a detent lug which coacts with detent flutes on the front side of body in such a way that a discrete pivoting of the first and the second supports can be established.
 26. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 23, wherein the lever provided on the body has associated with it several detents with which at least one discrete pivoting of the third support can be established.
 27. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 17, wherein the body possesses an external contour that corresponds substantially to the external contour of a stand base of a microscope.
 28. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 27, wherein the body comprises a housing open at the bottom.
 29. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 27, wherein the housing has a surface in which is embodied at least one depression that serves to receive at least one corresponding foot on the stand base of the microscope.
 30. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 29, wherein the depressions are configured as cutouts or holes, and serve to orient the microscope on the microscope carrier.
 31. The microscope carrier as defined in claim 17, wherein at least one opening for attaching the microscope is provided in the body of the microscope carrier. 